Oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms moderate the relationship between job stress and general trust in Chinese Han university teachers

Abstract

Background: Chronic exposure to stressful work environments can influence general trust. High job stress is associated with low trust in others. Both environmental and genetic factors contribute to general trust; however, few empirical studies have explored the important role of gene-environment interactions on general trust. In this study, the moderating roles of the polymorphisms OXTR rs53576 and OXTR rs2268490 in the relationship between job stress and general trust were evaluated.

Methods: 362 healthy Chinese Han university teachers (196 males, 165 females, and 1 undisclosed) were included (M_age = 39.80, SD = 9.16). Standardized questionnaires about demographic characteristics, job stress, and general trust scale were collected. Blood samples were collected for OXTR rs53576 and rs2268490 genotyping.

Results: Job stress scores showed a significant negative main effect on general trust (p < 0.001), while OXTR rs53576 and rs2268490 did not (p > 0.05). The effect of the interaction between job stress and OXTR rs53576 or rs2268490 on general trust was significant, even after controlling for gender and age. High job stress was associated with low general trust in OXTR rs53576 homozygous individuals (GG/AA) or OXTR rs2268490 CT individuals, demonstrating that the GA genotype in OXTR rs53576 and CC/TT genotype in OXTR rs2268490 are protective genotype of general trust.

Limitations: This study used a cross-sectional design, only considered Chinese Han university teachers, and only examined two polymorphisms in OXTR.

Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence that gene-environment interactions influence general trust and identify a new locus (rs2268490) underlying this phenotype.

Keywords: General trust; Gene–environment interaction; Job stress; Oxytocin receptor (OXTR); University teacher.